Engine ignition tester including an ignition coil polarity indicator

ABSTRACT

THIS INVENTION IS AN IGNITION TESTER SCOPE OPERABLE TO TEST COILS, SPARK PLUGS, CONDENSERS, AND ALSO TIME THE POWER PLANT ON INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES NORMALLY FOUND ON VEHICLES. MORE PARTICULARLY, THIS INVENTION IS AN IGNITION TESTER SCOPE INCLUDING A MAIN SUPPORT ASSEMBLY, A MOVABLE TERMINAL ASSEMBLY MOUNTED UPON THE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY, AND A STATIONARY TERMINAL ASSEMBLY POSITIONED IN COOPERATING ALIGNMENT WITH THE MOVABLE TERMINAL ASSEMBLY ON THE MAIN SUPPORT ASSEMBLY USABLE TO VISUALLY INDICATE THE SPARK STRENGTH RECEIVED FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THIS INVENTION IS AN IGNITION TESTER SCOPE HAVING MEANS FOR CONNECTING TO EXISTING COIL AND SPARK PLUG WIRES IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO VISUALLY INDICATE THE SPARK STRENGTH THEREBETWEEN.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Orrin E. Lewin 2401 K St.,Belleville. Kans. 66935 {2]} App]. No. 776.407 [22] Filed Nov. 18,1968[45] Patented June 28,1971

[S4] ENGINE IGNITION TESTER INCLUDING AN IGNITION COIL POLARITYINDICATOR 1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl... 324/17, 324/122 [51] Int. Cl G0lm 5/00 [50] Field ofSearch 324/15- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,00411/1929 Hack 324/17 1,914,808 6/1933 Kongsted 324/17 2,501,802 3/1950Walker 2,841,761 7/1958 Kincaid. 1.

Primary Examiner-Michael J. Lynch Auorney-John I-I. Widdowson ABSTRACT:This invention is an ignition tester scope operable to test coils, sparkplugs, condensers, and also time the power plant on internal combustionengines normally found on vehicles. More particularly, this invention isan ignition tester scope including a main support assembly, a movableterminal assembly mounted upon the support assembly, and a stationaryterminal assembly positioned in cooperating alignment with the movableterminal assembly on the main support assembly usable to visuallyindicate the spark strength received from the electrical system in avehicle. Additionally,

this invention is an ignition tester scope having means for connectingto existing coil and spark plug wires in an internal combustion engineand electrical contact points movable relative to each other to visuallyindicate the spark strength therebetween.

PATENTEUJUHEBIHYI $588,679

SHEET 1 0r 2 X h/MM ATTOQA/E-Y ENGINE lGNll'll'lON TESTER INCLUDING ANIGNITION COIL POLARI'II'Y INDICATOR Numerous types of testers are knownto the prior art operable to electrically check the efficiency andeffectiveness of coils, distributors, and spark plugs normally found oninternal combustion engines. However, the prior art devices aresubstantially complicated in structure and difficult to use by one notskilled in the various electronic aspects thereof. Also, the prior artdevices are not operable to easily and effectively indicate throughvisual means the resultant strength and condition of the various itemsin the electrical system of an internal combustion engine. Also, theprior art devices are substantially bulky in nature, costly tomanufacture, difficult to use and understand, and not readily operableto give a positive visual indication of engine condition in the minimumamount of time.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, an ignition tester scopeis provided including a main support assembly, a pivotal terminalassembly cooperatively mounted upon the main support assembly, and eachadapted to receive a spark plug or coil wire connected thereto. The mainsupport assembly includes a generally rectangular support base having anattachment clip connected thereto operable in a manner so as to bereadily attachable to a support surface for holding the entire device ina proper working relationship. The pivotal terminal assembly includes amain support block having a terminal structure thereon and a connectorassembly for attaching the same to the support base. The support blockis of generally rectangular shape also having a laterally extendedactuator handle connected thereto and a hole adapted to receive aconnector post of the connector assembly. The connector assemblyincludes a resilient grommet mounted between the connector post and theundersurface of the support block with an upper portion of the connectorpost having a laterally extended hole to receive a cotter pintherethrough. The resilient grommet operates to maintain frictionalcontact between the support block and the upper surface of the supportbase so that the entire pivotal terminal assembly is movable underresistance which is desirable. The terminal structure includes a mainupright cylindrical housing having a central opening to receive aconnector sleeve therein for attachment to respective ones of theplug-in Wires and a conductor shaft electrically connected to the sleeveand extended outwardly of the support block. A carbon shaft is adjacentand parallel the conductor shaft extended outwardly of the support blockfor testing purposes. The stationary terminal assembly includes aterminal structure with an upright cylindrical housing also having acylindrical sleeve member therein adapted to be electrically connectedto respective ones of the plug-in wires. Additionally, the stationaryterminal assembly has the sleeve member engageable with a conductorshaft which extends laterally of the cylinder housing for operablealignment with the conductor shaft of the pivotal terminal assembly.

In a second embodiment of this invention, an ignition tester scopeincludes the same support assembly plus an axially movable terminalassembly and a stationary terminal assembly. The movable terminalassembly is provided with a support and connector assembly to receive amovable contact point assembly therein. The support and contact assemblyincludes a support post secured to the support base by a screw memberand having a laterally extended contact cylinder integral therewith. Thecontact cylinder includes a conductor sleeve therein to receive aplug-in wire. The contact point assembly includes an elongated rod witha contact point at one end and the opposite end connected to amicrometer handle assembly. The micrometer handle assembly includes anactuator cylinder secured to the elongated rod and threadably mounted ona support member secured to the support post. The actuator cylinder isrotatable to move the rod axially inwardly and outwardly from thestationary terminal assembly. The rod and conductor sleeve areinterconnected for electrical continuity through a ball member biased bya spring member into engagement with the rod. The stationary terminalassembly is provided with an upright support post and a laterallyextended contact cylinder. The contact cylinder is provided with aconductor sleeve to receive a plug-in wire. The sleeve is connected to astationary contact point or shaft anchored in the support post which ispositioned so as to be in axial alignment with the elongated rod in themovable terminal assembly.

One object of this invention is to provide an ignition tester scopeovercoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

One other object of this invention is to provide an ignition testerscope readily connectable to various parts of an internal combustionengine to test the coil, spark plugs, spark plug wires, condensers, andmay be used to time the engine through the use of movable contact pointsto readily give a visual indication of the testing.

Still, one further object of this invention is to provide an ignitiontester scope including a main support base readily attachable to a givenworking surface; a movable terminal assembly and a stationary terminalassembly mounted in cooperating relationship upon the main supportassembly; and plug-in wire members connectable to respective ones of themovable terminal assembly and the stationary terminal assembly plus theitem being tested.

One further object is to provide an ignition tester scope having a pairof adjacent contact terminals electrically connectable to variousportions of an internal combustion engine having one contact movable tovary the distance therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ignition tester scopewhich is efficient and accurate in operation, economical to manufacture,lightweight and readily usable in any desired position, and presentingvisual observation of the relative strength and condition of partsinvolved.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdiscussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. I is a top plan view of an ignition tester scope of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FiG. l;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a pivotal terminalassembly in a different position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the ignition tester scope of thisinvention;

FIG. 5 is another side elevational view of the ignition tester scope ofthis invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of an ignition testerscope of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. ti;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the ignition tester scope of thisinvention; and

FIG. 9 is another side elevational view of the ignition tester scope ofthis invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specificembodiments of the new ignition tester scope of this invention, suchbeing made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same referencenumerals are sued to indicate the same or similar parts and/orstructure. It is to be understood that such discussion and descriptionis not to unduly limit the scope ofthe invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. I, anignition tester scope, indicated generally at I2, includes a mainsupport assembly 16 having mounted thereon in spaced cooperatingarrangement a pivotal terminal assembly 18 and a stationary terminalassembly 20, and plugin wires 22 readily attachable to respective onesof the terminal assemblies I8 and 20. The ignition tester scope I2 isreadily mountable within various lines in the electrical system of anautomotive vehicle through the use of the plug-in wires 22 which arereadily connectable to spark plugs, coils, distributor caps, and thelike.

The main support assembly 16 includes an irregularly shaped support base23 having an attachment clip assembly 25 connected thereto. It is notedthat the upper surface of the support base 23 is provided with a largeflat area for putting operating instructions, advertising, and the likethereon. The attachment clip assembly includes a pair of spaced supportlugs 26 secured to the lower surface of the support base 23', a clipmember 27 rotatably mounted upon the support lugs 26 through shaftmembers 29', and a compression spring 31 mounted within cylindricalsections 32 in both the opposed areas of the support base 23 and theclip member 27 for holding the compression spring 31 therein. As shownin FIG. 5, the compression spring 31 biases the clip member 27 in acounterclockwise direction about the support shafts 29 no as to be inengagement with the support base 23. The clip member 27 is of irregularshape operable to receive a support member between the outer leg 33 andthe undersurface of the support base 23 for attaching the same thereto.

The pivotal terminal assembly 18 includes a support block 35 having alaterally extended actuator handle 37 at one end portion and a terminalstructure 38 at the other end. The block 35 is readily connectablethrough a connector assembly 40 to the support base 23. The supportblock 35 is preferably constructed of a nonconductive material such asplastic and provided with a hole 42 adjacent the handle 37 to receive aconnector post 43 from the connector assembly 40 therethrough. Theterminal structure 38 includes a cylindrical housing 44 anchored to thesupport block 35 provided with an inner conductor sleeve 46.Additionally, the terminal structure 38 includes a contact shaft 47extended within and laterally of the support block 35 and having itsinnermost end connected to the conductor sleeve 46 so as to achieveelectrical continuity therebetween. Additionally, a carbon post member49 is mounted in the support block 35 adjacent the contact shaft 47 forreasons to be explained.

The connector assembly as includes the connector post 43 extendedthrough aligned openings in the support base 23 and the support block35. The connector post 43 has an enlarged head 51 with a resilientgrommet 53 mounted between the same and the support base 23. The otherexposed end of the connector post 43 is provided with aligned holes toreceive a cotter pin 55 therein. It is seen that the connector assembly40 operates to resiliently bias the support block 35 into engagementwith an upper surface of the support base 23 so that the pivotalterminal assembly 18 is rotatably about the connector post 43 againstfrictional resistance between the support block 35 and the support base23.

The stationary terminal assembly 29 includes a main upright terminalhousing 57 anchored to the support base 23 having a conductor sleeve 59telescopically mounted therewithin. The conductor sleeve 59 is connectedto a stationary contact shaft 61 extended transversely of thecylindrical housing 57 and operable so as to be in cooperation with thecontact shaft 47 in the pivotal terminal assembly 18 as will beexplained.

The plug-in wires 22 are substantially ofa conventional nature eachhaving an electrical conductor 63 enclosed with an outer insulationcover 65 and attachment sleeves 67 at opposite ends. The sleeves 67 arereadily attachable to the ignition tester scope 12 and, additionally, tospark plugs, coils, and the distributor for various testing purposes aswill be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 6-9, inclusive, another embodiment of an ignitiontester scope 71 includes basically the same main support assembly 16 buthaving mounted thereon in cooperating engagement an axially movableterminal assembly 73 and a stationary terminal assembly 75, both ofwhich are readily connectable to the aforementioned plug-in wires 22 forc4nnection to elements in an internal combustion engine. The axiallymovable terminal assembly 73 includes a support and connector assembly77 with a contact point assembly 78 connected thereto. The support andconnector assembly 77 includes a support post 79 secured as by a screwmember 81 to the support base 23 and a laterally extended contactcylinder 83. The contact cylinder 83 includes a conductor sleeve 85 toreceive a plug-in wire 22. The contact point assembly 78 includes anelongated rod 86 secured to a micrometer handle assembly 88. The handleassembly 88 includes an actuator cylinder 89 secured to the rod 86 andthreadably mounted on a support member 91 secured by adhesive or thelike to the support post 79. The rod 86 is provided with a pointed end93 and, additionally, a lock nut 94 to restrict axial movement. Theactuator cylinder 89 is rotatable so as to move the elongated rod 86axially of a hole 98 in the support post 79. It is seen that thestationary support member 91 is provided with a plurality ofspaccdmarking indicia 101 such as every sixteenth ofan inch so as to indicateaxial movement of the rod 86 relative to the support post 79. Also, themovable terminal assembly 73 includes an opening 103 within the supportpost 79 having therein a ball member 105 biased upwardly into engagementwith the rod 86 and the conductor sleeve 85 by a spring member 107 sothat the same is always in electrical contact and rotatable underfrictional resistance which is desirable for returning to the samelocation and accurate measurement. It is also seen that the outer end ofthe rod 86 formed with the very sharp point 93 is desirable formeasuring the efiiciency and effectiveness of various elements to betested.

The stationary terminal assembly 75 is provided with an upright supportpost 112 secured by a screw 114 to the support base 23 and having alaterally extended terminal structure 116. The terminal structure 116 isprovided with an inner conductor sleeve 118 to receive respective onesof the plug-in wires 22 and, additionally, electrically connectedthrough the support post 112 to a stationary contact rod 122. Thecontact rod 122 extends laterally of the post 112 and has an outerpointed end 123 to be axially aligned with the other movable rod 36ofthe movable terminal assembly 73.

ln the use and operation of the ignition tester sco e 12 of thisinvention, it is first noted that the same can be used to test the coilas normally found on automotive engines. First, the coil wire is pulledfrom the coil and installed in the stationary terminal assembly 20.Next, one of the plug-in wires 22 is ex tended from the pivotal terminalassembly 18 and mounted in the proper position on the coil. The engineis started whereupen the pivotal terminal assembly 18 is rotated aboutits connector assembly 40 by the handle member 37 and toward theposition of spaced increments indicia on the support base 23. The sparkthat is normally flowing from the coil is conducted between the shafts47 and 61. If the coil is good, this high voltage will jump the entiredistance as shown on the scale indicia 130. In fact, this shouldapproximate one-half to five-eights of an inch if the coil is in goodcondition.

On proceeding without changing wires from the tester scope 12 in orderto check coil polarity, move the handle member 37 so that the carbonpost 49 is placed between the shafts 47 and 61. If polarity is correct,the will jump to the carbon post 49 and a small feathered flare willexist between the carbon post 49 and the shaft 61. If a flair is betweenthe shafts 47 and the carbon post 49, then the coil polarity is reversedand should be changed for engine efficiency.

Also on testing the coil strength if you find that red flashes areplaying along the blue coil spark of the condenser, then this indicatesthat the condenser is of sufficient strength and in good shape.

The ignition tester scope 12 can also be used to time automotive engineswithout using the conventional timing lights and other expensiveequipment. First, the engine is turned until the timing marks on theadjacent housing and the fly wheel are lined up with the rotor in thedistributor pointing to the number one cylinder spark plug position asindicated by the mark on the distributor cap. Next, the ignition testerscope 12 is connected to one of the plug-in wires 22 between the numberone spark plug wire and the distributor. Next, the pivotal terminalassembly 18 is movable so as to provide a spacing of approximately twomarks as shown on the scale indicia 130. The ignition to the engine isthen turned on but the engine is not started. Next, the distributor isloosened through its connector bolt and it is rotated in direction ofrotation of the distributor shaft until the distributor points areclosed. Ne'xt, we rotate the distributor back slowly and when the firejumps the gap between the spaced shafts 47 and 61 on the ignition testerscope 12, this indicates the position of most efficiency and the engineis now timed.

In order to test the spark plugs and the wires thereto, it is seen thatthe ignition tester scope 12 may be connected through the use of aplug-in wire 22 between the wire to the spark plug and to thedistributor. Next, we start the engine and move the scope gap until theignition tire will not jump between the contact shafts 47 and 61. It"the spark plug and wire thereto are in good condition, the operatingengine will miss to indicate that you now have lost fire to thisparticular cylinder. However, if the spark plug or wire is bad, theengine will continue to operate the same as there has been no loss dueto interruption of what should have been energy supplied for ignitingthis particular cylinder. You need only continue this process from onespark plug to another until all the plugs and wires have been sochecked.

In the use and operation of the other embodiment being the ignitiontester scope 7] it is seen that the same is operable in a similar mannerexcept the stationary contact rod 122 and the axially movable contactrod 86 are aligned whereupon the same are movable to separate the gapthrough the micrometer handle assembly 88. This would operate insubstantially the identical manner as the other ignition tester scope 12except having the same axial movable and the adjacent point ends formeasuring the span of jumping of electrical spark is proven to be a moreaccurate means of the testing. Also, it is seen that the micrometerhandle assembly 88 with the indicating indicia 101 provides a moreaccurate means to readily note variations in distance between thecontact rods 86 and 122. It is obvious that this tester scope 71 can beconnected to the coil wire, spark plug wires, and the plug-in wires 22to readily test the strength of the coil, coil polarity, strength ofcondenser, time the engine, and test the various spark plugs and wiresas previously described.

It is seen that the ignition tester scope of this invention provides aneconomical structure which can efficiently and effectively measure thevarious electrical components found in an internal combustion engine.The same is readily attachable to adjoining structures through the useof its attachment clip assembly and provides a visual indicating meanswhich is most desirable and eliminates errors achieved in numerous, morecomplicated structures. The ignition tester scope of this inventionprovides a lightweight, economical to manufacture structure which issubstantially maintenance free and provides one with accurate, immediatevisual results of the testing.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferredspecific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that thisdescription is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

I. An electrical tester apparatus operable to test the ignition systemin an internal combustion engine being selectively connectable to thespark plugs, coil, and condenser thereof, including:

a. a main support assembly adapted to be readily connectable to asupport structure;

b. a movable terminal assembly secured to said main support assemblyconnected to a wire member;

c. a stationary terminal assembly secured to said main support assemblyand having a contact member in cooperating relationship to said movableterminal assembly, and said stationary terminal assembly connected to aconductor wire, said conductor wire first removed from the coil andconnected to said stationary terminal assembly and said wire membermounted in place thereof in the coil so that said apaparatus is mountedtherebetween; d. said mova e terminal assembly Including a contactelement movable relative to said contact member to indicate electricalstrength of the coil by electrical spark between said wire member andsaid conductor wire connected to said movable terminal assembly and saidstationary terminal assembly;

e. a connector assembly connecting said movable terminal assembly tosaid main support assembly so as to have frictional engagementtherebetween to control the relative movement therebetween for accuratetest results;

said connector assembly including an upright connector post extendedthrough aligned openings in said main support assembly and said movableterminal assembly, and a grommet member mounted between said supportpost and said main support assembly to provide resilient contacttherebetween;

g. a rectangular support block and said movable terminal assembly havingsaid contact element mount in said rectangular support block which ispivotally connected to said main support assembly, and a handle membersecured to said support block extended perpendicular the axis of saidsupport block positioned adjacent said pivotal con nector for ease ofmovement of said contact element to vary distance between same and saidcontact member; and

h. said movable terminal assembly including a laterally extended carbonpost mounted next to said contact element, and said carbon post ismovable between said contact element and said contact member operable toindicate coil polarity during testing.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,588,679 D t d I June 28, 1971 Orrin E. Lewis Inventor(s) It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [72] "Orrin E. Lewin" should read Orrin E. LewisColumn 1, line 20, after "assembly" insert and a stationary terminalassembly Column 2, line 61,

"sued" should read used Column 3, line 6, after "assembly" insert 25line 46, "rotatably" should read rotatable lines 69 and 70, "c4nnection"should read correction Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

